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VI UPDATE U.S. Virgin Islands Public Records TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS Committee on Rules and Judiciary Legislature USVI September 20, 2023 · 3.6 hours · gov Source recording https://youtu.be/uWzY1eWwNCY Status This is a working transcript produced by machine from a recording of a public proceeding. It is a finding aid, not an official record of the Legislature. Transcribed by VI Update, using OpenAI Whisper large-v3-turbo, run locally. Not reviewed by a person. Reliability Automatic transcription, UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording before relying on it. Speech recognition splits spoken digits and wraps figures mid-number, so a dollar amount, a vote count or a bill number can be wrong in a way that reads as correct. Speakers are not identified: automatic speaker labelling was measured unusable and removed. Public record The underlying proceeding is a public record of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. 3 V.I.C. § 881(a) defines public records to include all records and documents of or belonging to this Territory or any branch of government, or any "department, board, council or committee of any branch of government" · which names legislative committees by category. § 881(b) gives every citizen the right to examine and copy such records, and the news media the right to publish them. (The open-meetings chapter, 1 V.I.C. § 254, does NOT reach the Legislature: § 253(b) expressly excludes it and its Standing and Special Committees. § 881 does, and it is § 881 that confers the right to copy and publish.) The Legislature broadcast this proceeding publicly itself. The source recording is not ours, is not hosted here, and remains with its publisher at the link above. Rights To what we added · the transcription, its arrangement and its description · we assert nothing. A verbatim transcript is mechanical rather than authored, so there is likely nothing in it to own; to the extent any copyright is nonetheless found to subsist, it is dedicated to the public domain under CC0 1.0. Please copy it, quote it, index it, train on it, republish it, mirror it, sell it. Redistribution is the point: a public record with one copy is one fire from gone. No permission is needed, and none is ours to grant or withhold. Music Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 0:00:00 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. so Thank you. 0:02:00 I love you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, my God. Thank you. Oh, my God. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, oh, oh, oh. You We'll be right back. 0:06:00 We'll be right back. Thank you. [2 such phrases repeated 16 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the recogniser as speech] 0:14:30 We'll be right back. Thank you. They don't make music like this no more [3 such phrases repeated 10 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the recogniser as speech] 0:22:30 We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. The meeting schedule for September 20th, 2023 for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary 0:27:30 has been called to order. I would like to say good morning to my colleagues, noncommittee members, if there are any here Today, I just want to say to the people of the Virgin Islands, good morning. Good morning to the invited testifiers who I should say would have been here. To the listening and viewing audience, the legislative staff who's working this meeting today. But before we begin our meeting today, I would like to personally extend my sincere condolences to our employee of the legislature Ina Hanson and and her family on the traffic tragic loss of the son of her son I want to urge people today if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or simply need to speak someone unbiased please call 988 it is a behavioral helpline established to assess person in the community in crisis so I please urge you to use the available resources so my condolences go out to the family we've been experiencing and particularly the island of st. Croix young people who have been making decisions that is causing families pain so I beg and I plead to seek some kind of assistance 0:34:46 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 1 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary as we all know this is budget season and it's over and here we are today to move the budget bills for the 2024 fiscal year I want to say it has been an interesting budget season I have the opportunity as a non-committee member to attend budget meetings and understand the challenges a lot of the departments face face in the territory today's meeting has five blocks we would consider three bills regarding leases and 28 budget bills so So, colleagues, we have a long day, so in the essence of time, we are now ready to proceed. 0:36:34 Clerk, can you read the agenda into record? Good morning. Block 1, leases, bill number 35-0095, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Dave Jeffers, doing business as Dave Trucking Service for parcel number 142-B, Estate Anna's Retreat, number one, New Quarter, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, consisting of approximately 6,006, 627.393 U.S. square feet or 0.144 U.S. acre zoned P as shown on OIG file number D-9-8-6-4-6-T-0-1-2 to be used for the purpose of operating the general offices of the trucking company and for other related purposes. Sponsored by Senator Novel E. Francis Jr. by request of the Governor. Bill number 35-0124, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Dima Inc. doing business as Moe's Fresh Market, revised parcel number 17-3, remainder Estate Nisky, number 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, and unimproved parcel number 17-4, Estate Niskey, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, for operating a gourmet retail food market and store, butchery, importer of goods, restaurant, tobacco retailer, storage warehouse, and executive offices, executive and workforce suites, and for other related purposes sponsored by senator novell e francis jr by request of the governor and dana a frett gregory by request of the governor bill number three five dash zero one two six and act approving the lease agreement between the government of the virgin islands department of property and Procurement and Petrus Properties LLC for parcel number 47D-1, Transpredence Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, sponsored by Senator Norvell E. Francis Jr., by request 0:37:20 of the governor black two budget bills bill number three five dash zero one four one an act providing an appropriation from the good general fund for the treasury of the government of the virgin islands for the operation of the government of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024. sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and dana a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number three five dash zero one four two an act providing an appropriation for the operating expense of the virgin islands board of education from the general fund of the treasury of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and dana a fred gregory by request of the governor Bill No. 35-0143, an act provided an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands. during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, sponsored by Senators Norvell E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill No. 35-0144, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses 0:40:40 of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill No. 35-0145, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. sponsored by Senators Norvell E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the governor. Bill number 35.0146, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 sponsored by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill No. 350147, an act providing an appropriation for the legislature of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. block three budget bills bill number zero one four eight an act provided an appropriation for the operation of the judicial branch of the government of the virgin islands the judicial council and the office of the territorial public defender during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr donna a fred gregory and dwayne m de graf by request of the governor bill number three five dash zero one four nine 0:42:37 an act provided an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the virgin islands board of elections and the office of the supervisor for the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number three five dash zero one five zero an act provided an appropriation for the operating expenses of the virgin islands waste management authority from the general fund of the government of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 to september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number three five that zero one five one an act 0:45:01 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 2 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary provided an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the university of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novell e francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number 350152 an act providing an appropriation from the anti-litter and beautification fund to the virgin islands waste management authority and the virgin islands department of public work for operating expenses during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number three five dot zero one five three an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the public services commission for the fiscal year october 1 2023 to september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novel e francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number three five dot zero one five four and act provided an appropriation from the business and commercial properties revolving fund to the virgin islands department of property and procurement for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Sponsored by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. 0:46:53 Block 4, Budget Bills. Bill number 35-0155, an act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill No. 35-0156, an act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and the Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novelli Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill number 35-0157, an act providing for the lump sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and the contribution to the General Fund for the the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novell E. 0:47:46 Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill 35-0158, an act providing for the lump sum appropriation from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Service for the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novak Lee Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the governor. Bill number 35-0160, an act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the general fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novak Lee Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the governor. Bill No. 35-0161, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novell E. 0:48:58 Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Bill number 35-0162, an act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Senators Novelli Francis Jr. and Dana A. Fred Gregory by request of the Governor. Block 5 Budget Bills, Bill number 35-0163, an act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 sponsored by senators novelly francis jr and dana a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number 35-0164 an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of virgin islands bureau of motor vehicles from the transportation trust fund during the fiscal year october 1st 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novelly francis jr and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the governor bill number 35-0165 an act providing an appropriation from the virgin islands insurance guarantee fund as a contribution to the general fund of the government of the virgin islands for the fiscal year october 1st 2023 to september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novelly francis jr and Donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number 35-0166 an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the bureau of 0:50:11 school construction and maintenance during the fiscal year october 1st 2023 through september 30th 2024 sponsored by senators novelly francis jr and donna a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number 35-0167 an act providing an appropriation from the district public road fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for the repairs of the government road and estate crowned and hawk St. Thomas sponsored by Senators Novak Lee Francis Jr. and Donna A. Fred Gregory by request of the governor. Bill number 35, that's 0168, an act providing an appropriation of $300,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2024 to the University of the Virgin Islands for the construction of two sheds at st john brewer's beach on st thomas virgin islands sponsored by senators novelly francis jr and dana a fred gregory by request of the governor bill number 35-0169 an act providing an 0:52:13 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 3 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary appropriation of 500 000 from the education initiative fund in the fiscal year ending september 30th 2024 to the department of education division of curriculum and instruction for final editing and proofing of customized virgin Island's history textbooks, printing hardcover editions of customized Virgin Island's history textbooks, and completion of K-8 social studies curriculum, sponsored by Senators Donna A. Fred Gregory and Angel Borges, Jr. Madam Chair, that's the end of the agenda. Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, Madam Clerk, can you proceed with the roll call? Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr. Senator Boquez present Senator Diane T. Capehart Present Senator Capehart present Senator Kenneth L. Gittins Here Senator Gittins present Senator Maurice C. James Here Senator James present Senator Franklin D. Johnson Senator Johnson present, Senator Karla J. Joseph, Senator Joseph present, Senator Milton E. Potter, Senator Potter present. Madam Chair, you have seven present. 0:54:03 Thank you, Madam Clerk. Colleagues, we have a quorum. Madam Clerk, is there any other correspondence to be read into the record? No correspondence, Madam Chair. Okay, great. As I mentioned before, there are no testifiers today, but I would like the committee to know and the listening and viewing audience, I am at privilege to invoke Rule 313A10, the closed rule today in the Rules and Judiciary meeting. Who speaks to the bills in block one, bill number 35-0095, 35-024, and bill number 35-0126? I do, Madam Chair, Senator Novell E. Francis Jr. 0:54:48 Senator Francis, you may proceed. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, good morning to you and good morning to my colleagues and of course good morning to the people of Virgin Islands. Madam Chair, I move the following measures Bill 35-0095, Bill 35-0124 and Bill 35-0126 at the behest and request of the Governor operating through the Commission of Property and Procurement. And the first bill, 35.0095, is an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands and Dave Jeffers doing business as Dave Trucking Services for parcels of land in 142B Estate Annals Retreat. This matter was heard in the Committee of Budget Appropriations and Finance and have been moved to the Rules and Judiciary Committee for further vetting. This is for an annual rent of $6,000 and it'll be for 10 years. Bill No. 35.0124 is an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the commissioner for Dima Inc. doing business as Moe's Fresh Market and for the parcel No. 17-3 remainder, Estate Niski No. 0:55:47 6 South Quarter St. Thomas Versans for the purpose of operating a gourmet retail food market, a store, butchery, import of goods, restaurant, tobacco, the retailer, storage warehouse and executive offices as well as executive and workforce suite. And this is for an annual rent of $120,000. The third lease, bill number 35-0126, is an act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Department of Property and Procurement and Petrus Properties LLC for parcels number 47-D-1, Comprinston-Gotta, Comprinston-Quarterson-Thomas. 0:57:16 And again, this is for a 10-year lease with an option for two, five-year extension for the amount of $6,000 on an annual basis these lease is a win-win situation of course we are able to put government properties to use as well as be able to collect rent and fees that continue to add to our economic development here in the territory so again I want to thank the leases for their work with the Department of Property and Procurement and also to commend the Department of property and procurement for moving forward on these leases. The from the leasees mentioned yesterday during the lease discussion in the budget of a budget appropriations and finance that in fact this was a smooth process with the Department of Property and Procurement and you know by all means of course it was very exhaustive because there was a number of processes that they had to exhaust but nonetheless that they were happy to reach to this point where the lease is being executed. Thank you very much for the time. Again I'm not a member of this committee but I ask for my colleague's support in moving these leases forward. Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Senator Francis. Colleagues as Senator Francis mentioned that these bills were already vetted in the committee and you know this is the clearinghouse but But I'll give everyone a two minute opportunity to say anything that you would like to say in regards to these leases that are before us before we take a vote. 0:58:00 So starting with Senator Maurice James, you may proceed with two minutes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, Virgin Islands. Good morning to my colleagues. morning to the staff of the 35th legislature. Well this is a no-brainer clearly because anytime the Virgin Islands government is going to make money and especially when the tenants that it is entering into these agreements with are going to make improvements to government property and pay it's in it's very important. I do want to say though more a point of personal privilege that as the chair of the Education Committee I recognize the right of the teachers to protest and I want to say that this affects all of us socially, economically, culturally in every way and so we have to find solutions to the closure of the schools, the elementary schools and St. Croix and John H. Woodson due to the job action of the AFT. And we need to find solutions as leaders in this community. 0:59:40 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 4 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary So you have to stand up for your rights. And so I support anyone who is clearly expressing that the conditions under which they work are not suitable and not good for our children. And I want to say to the parents out there that the impact on you is tremendous. And so as a legislature, we need to work with the executive branch to make sure that we we find solutions to this vaccine problem here in, especially in the St. Croix district. Thank you, Madam chair. 1:01:04 Thank you, Senator Maurice James on the Island of St. Croix media. I, I believe there's some technical issues delayed that I'm seeing Senator James is speaking and we're still not hearing her on St. Thomas. Mr. Caller-Joseph, you may proceed with two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair. A pleasant good morning to you as well as all of my colleagues and the viewing audience. Madam Chair, these leases that we have before us, as was said by the two previous speakers, were properly vetted in the Committee on Budget Appropriations and Finance, and they bring with them a level of funding, additional funds that are needed. I really want to commend the Department of Property and Procurement for actively taking an initiative to assure that our property that are held within the custody of the Department of Property and Procurement are being used responsibly and that we can generate income from the properties and they're just not sitting there dormant and they're not being used. I also want to commend the leasees for really thinking and putting in action and using the government to provide a home for their businesses to operate. So I really have no other comments, and I am ready for the vote when the motion is made. Thank you kindly, Madam Chair. 1:01:44 Thank you, Senator Joseph. Senator Milton Potter, the Vice Chair of Rules and Judiciary. You may proceed with two minutes. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Good morning, colleagues, and a special good morning to the people of the Virgin Islands. Madam Chair, I rise in support of all three measures, all three leases, and block number one. course, I'm going to echo the sentiments of all of my colleagues who spoke before me in saying that it is pretty much a no-brainer. All of the leases were thoroughly and properly vetted in the Committee of Jurisdiction, the Committee on Budget Appropriations and Finance as recent as yesterday. This is really an opportunity for us to further business development here in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We know that small business is the engine really that fuels our, that runs our economy and this is an opportunity for successful business owners to further expand their business opportunities here in the territory, employing more Virgin Islanders and adding to the money that comes to our treasury so at the appropriate time I will vote in the affirmative madam chair for all three bills or three leases in block number one thank you very much thank you senator Potter. Senator Johnson. Senator Franklin Johnson from the island of St. Croix. You may proceed with two minutes. Good morning, Madam Chair. Thank you very much. Good morning 1:03:41 to my colleagues. Good morning to the viewer and listening audience. I do support all these initiatives as far as Lee's concerned. So at the appropriate time, I will be supporting, but I want to use most of my time to speak on behalf of the AFT members on my way to work. I stopped a couple of the school I pretty much got a list of some of the concerns and these are some vexing and serious issues in regards to our school I do support anyone that stand up for the better cars because these cars are not just for the AFD teachers but for students you cannot teach children in this environment that's not conducive some of the problem they complain about They gave me a whole list, heat with global warming and the rise. These rooms themselves, the windows can't even open. So classes that don't have air condition, the windows can't open. So it's drastically hot inside there, not conducive for learning. Electrical upgrade, water issue. I stopped by Paul B. They say all of their facets are closed off. So the children come to school, they don't even have water to drink. Some children, parents send them in water, some don't. they explained to me the beginning of the school year the department of education bought water but since then there's no water to that school lack of supply lack of internet connectivity employee shortage there's a lot of classroom that doesn't have teachers the paraprofessional are doing full teaching in some of the classroom large class size without paraprofessional support Lack of computer machines, lack of special education director, proper maintenance of buildings, deplorable working condition, insufficient school bus, rodents and termites, school security, working cameras, needs dates for recruit returning to the bargaining table, installation of kitchen equipment. These kitchen equipment we talked to a couple of times, about many times. In fact, I'm speaking to some of the teachers. Some of these equipment are actually starting to gather rust. 1:05:32 Madam Chair, may I wrap up? You may proceed. Some of these kitchen equipment are now gathering rust on them. And I'm quite sure by the time they're installed, they probably won't be operable. They talk about repairs, broken freeze and coolers in the kitchen. air quality test sanitization rooms special era classes exceeding maximum of 175 per day in one of the schools that i visit wanita guardian there's a cooking class the teacher says she don't have a fridge or a stove but she has a cooking class conducting and trying to teach these children how to prepare meals. This is unacceptable. I understand that global warming changed the dynamics, but we must be able to fix the fans them at the least in those schools, fix the windows at the least to get some breeze circulating, but it's unacceptable. And I do support the teachers and their initiatives. I know at the end of the day, it's going to be better for them and the children in that environment that we are asking them to teach and asking our children to learn. Thank you very much Madam Chair for your leniency. You're welcome Senator Johnson and I totally agree that doesn't seem like an environment that's conducive for teaching 1:07:38 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 5 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary or learning so with that being said with unity there's strength so I support them. Senator Gittins, you may proceed with two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning to all. You know, our challenges in this territory are real and public education funding overall needs a serious overhaul. Now, as we sit here today, I'm not warm and fuzzy regarding our budget process this year. However, I'm grateful for the work that has been put in by the members of the committee. The administration has a saying, together we can, and I say, then let's do it. Because if we work together, we'll be able to get much more accomplished. At the appropriate time, I will cast my vote. Thank you for the time, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator Gettins. Senator Angel Borges, you may proceed with two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, Madam Chair. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening and viewing audience. I rise in support of all these measures in this Black Bill 35.0095 enables an efficient operating trucking company to have general offices which can contribute to the logistics sector for the movement of goods and services throughout the island. Bill number 350124, this endeavor enhances food access and stimulates local entrepreneurship 1:09:12 and creates job opportunities and ultimately bolsters the economy of St. Thomas as well. Article number 350126, this development can revitalize that area, potentially bring in new businesses and services, and contributes to the overall aesthetics of the economic appeal of the area, so I rise in support of that measure as well. These lease agreements reflect a commitment of fostering economic growth, job creation, and community development. all align with the government's effort to support local businesses and stimulate our economy and our activities that enhance the quality of life for all virgin islanders i would also like to say before my time expires um it is unfortunate that our teachers are having to deal with um the environment that they're working in and they have a right to exercise their opinions 30 seconds feel about where they're working and i rise in support of supporting them at the appropriate time thank you madam chair thank you senator bulkus thank you for attendance i know you're not in the committee physically today but thank you for your attendance do i hear a motion on bill number 35-0095 motion I recognize Senator Potter for your motion thank you very much madam chair I move that bill number 35-0095 an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands acting through its commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and Dave Jeffers doing business as Dave Trucking Service for Parcel No. 142B Estate Anna's Retreat No. 1 New Quarter St. Thomas Virgin Islands consisting of approximately 6,627.393 US square feet or 0.144 US acre zoned as shown on OLG file number D9-8646-T012 to be used for the purpose of operating the general offices of the trucking company 1:11:12 and for other related purposes be favorably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further action. I so move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator Borges. Madam Clerk, please proceed with the roll call. Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr. Yeah. 1:13:42 Senator Borges, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart, yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins, yay? Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yay? Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yay. 1:14:16 Senator Johnson, yay? Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay? Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Senator Francis, I forgot to acknowledge you as a noncommittee member. In bill number 35, the next bill, if you put, I will allow you to speak on both bills. 1:14:44 Okay, so bill number 35-095, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of Department of Property and Procurement and Dave Jeffers, DBA, Dave Trucking Service for parcel number 142-B Estate Annars retreat number one new quarter st. Thomas Virgin Islands consisting of approximately six thousand six hundred and twenty seven point three nine three u.s. square feet or zero point one four u.s. acre zone P as shown on OLG file number D9-8646-T012 to be used for the purpose of operating the general offices of the trucking company and for other related purposes has been voted upon favorably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the Closed Rule 313A10 for further consideration. Motion Senator Potter. Motion thank you very much Madam Chair I move that bill number 35-0124 an act approving the lease agreement between the Virgin Islands Government, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and DEMA Inc. doing business as Moe's Flesh Market, 1:15:22 revised parcel number 17-3, remainder Estate Niski, number 6 Southside Quarter St. Thomas, and unimproved parcel number 17-4 Estate Niski, number 6 Southside St. Thomas Virgin Islands for operating a gourmet retail food market and store, butchery, importer of goods, restaurant, tobacco retailer, storage warehouse and executive offices, executive and work suites, and for other related purposes, be favorably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and judiciary and forwarded to the full body for final action iso move second properly moved by senator potter and seconded by senator bolquez and senator carla joseph roll call on the bill number 35-0124 Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr. 1:17:12 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 6 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Yeah. Senator Boquez, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, yeah. Senator Marie C. James. Yes. Yes. Senator James. Yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. 1:18:25 Senator Johnson. Yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph. Yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter. Yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0124, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its commissioner of Department of Property and Procurement, Andema Inc., DBA, Moe's Fresh Market, revised parcel number 17-3, remainder, estate, Niskey, number 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, and unimproved parcel number 17-4 Estate Niski, number 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, for operating a gourmet retail, retail, food market, and store butchery, importer of goods, restaurant, tobacco retailer, storage warehouse, and executive offices. Executive and and workspace suites and for other related purposes, has been voted upon favorably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule for further consideration. Do I hear a motion? Motion. Motion, Senator Potter. 1:18:54 Madam Chair, I move that bill number 35-0126, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement and Petrus Properties LLC for parcel number 47D-1 Quang Princes Quarter St. Thomas Virgin Islands be favorably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further consideration. I so move. 1:20:34 Second. Properly moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Bolquez and Senator Carla Joseph. Clerk, roll call on bill number 35-0126. Senator Angel L. Bolquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Bolquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. 1:21:07 senator capehart yay senator kenneth l gittins yes senator gittins yay senator maurice c james yes senator james yay senator franklin d johnson yay senator johnson yay senator carla j joseph Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. 1:21:36 Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0126, an act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, Department of Property and Procurement, and Petrus Properties, LLC, for Parcel Number 47D1, Conprincingade, Gara, and Conprincing Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, has been voted upon favourably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out of this committee to the full body for full consideration. At this time, we'll take a recess. 1:22:03 Thank you. We'll be right back. The Committee of Rules and Judiciary is out of recess. [3 such phrases repeated 15 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the recogniser as speech] 1:22:56 So we are now in block two, who speaks on behalf of these bills? Speak on behalf of the. Two minutes. Two minutes. 1:30:26 Senator Francis, you may proceed with the bills of Block 2. Very well. Thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to introduce the bills. These are the budget bills that's come in before the Committee of Rules and Judiciary. And on the behalf of the Chair of the Budget Appropriations and Finance Committee, as well all the members I want to again commend the members and the non-members that attended the the budget cycle during this this year and really this these bills represent the diligent work that has been put forth in regards to the review of the budget during the budget cycle there were some 24 hearings and over 60 something different individuals that came before the legislative body for the purpose again at defending their government budget and that included the central staff central government the semi-autonomous and fully autonomous agencies that presented these measures again there is some careful concern in respect to these bills and the numbers associated with them so we ask that this body this committee be mindful that these bills should be moved with a closed rule so that we don't have any movement so that we could pass a balanced budget I also want to take this opportunity to commend the post audit division that did extensive work in the preparation of this these bills and provided the necessary detailed information that aided and assisted the committee being able to vet the 1:30:56 measures that came before us. In particular, I want to recognize Mr. Vincent Samuel, who is the post auditor that also was recently injured and continue to implore a speedy recovery and well wishes and prayers for him and I asked for my colleagues to move this measure these measures these budget bills forward and again there's 28 bills they'll be considered today and this is for the operation of government moving forward for fiscal year 20 October 1 2023 to September 38 2024 to make note note that a lot of the vacancies that traditionally have made up the budget bills have been reduced significantly to just those critical positions. And there's also the need for the central government to make sure that we continue to move on those disaster recovery projects. There is a deficit that had been recognized as a result of fiscal year 23, where the revenues that was anticipated were not realized, and some 81 to 91 million dollars were not recognized as a result of not being able to put in place a lot of the disaster recovery projects, and we're hoping that we have now addressed those issues and we'll be seeing the movement of those in FY 2024. I ask for my colleagues' support on these measures so that we can move them in a timely fashion and so that the government could continue to provide a level of service to this community. my spot I'm sure for the time thank you senator Francis before I go to my colleagues I just I just want the listening and viewing audience know that there was a lot of time and effort a lot of hard work that happened 1:32:46 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 7 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary during this budget season I mean this was my first time that I've actually participated When I served in the 30th, I attended some finance meeting, but I attended a lot of them. And here it is. There's so many behind, so many people behind the scenes, the legal division, the post auditor, Mr. Samuel and his team, journal, the finance committee and the members, the finance chair. So, I just wanted to even personally say I understand and I just want to commend you on the great work. I want to even commend my staff because we did receive these bills late to then bring to rules to, of course, clear these bills to be forwarded to the full body. So, the territory needs this budget passed and need it passed in a timely manner. So with that being said, I would proceed with Senator James, Maurice James, if you would like you or you may proceed with two minutes for block two. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just I want to say that the process must be understood by the public that in fact the legislature spends a lot of time making sure that the budget is balanced which really means that how much we spend is based on it should match how much we collect in taxes and more so that when the legislature does its diligence and it was I want to commend the Finance Committee and the members of the Finance Committee as well as as the post audit division which during my meeting with the the chair assisted me in understanding this entire process. But the bottom line is that when we provide these funds to the respective departments and agencies the people expect that they will receive the services for the taxpayer dollars that are being spent. Again regarding 1:35:06 education. It's the leading agency or department when it comes to the funding by the Virgin Islands government. So it's important that when we spend money or we we give money let's put it that way to the Department of Education that in fact it gets to who it needs to get get to and that is our teachers and our students most of all so I definitely support the efforts put in by the Finance Committee I know there's a long name the Budget Appropriation Finance Committee but I want to commend everyone who played a part in it and I look forward seeing that the money is well spent and we are fiscally responsible as agencies and departments in this government to provide the services um that our public expects to receive thank you madam chair thank you senator james senator carla joseph you may proceed with two minutes thank you so much madam chairwoman i really want to commend the chair of the committee on budget appropriations and finance as well as her team members from her staff as well as a post audit division for the Herculean job they did in properly vetting these bills and the executive as well as the judicial branch budget we and I would say we because I'm not a member of the committee but the members members of the committee, as well as the chair, welcomed non-committee members to sit and discuss and ask questions regarding the budget that the executive branch and the judicial branch had sent down to the legislature. We asked probing questions. We were even invited to huddle and mock up the bill, but I want to say something very critical. we even started out the budget process the post auditor professor i'm sorry mr vincent samuel he was my professor at the university of the virgin islands they sat down with us and gave us a whole listing of all of the 2023 a budget that was passed and also of all the funding that this body 30 seconds the 34th legislature had passed so i really think it's a very great opportunity i want to speak specifically regarding one bill which is 35 that's zero one four six that appropriates operating funds for the public employees relations board and the virgin islands labor com management committee i had the occasion to go down to niski for something and i went to to the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee and no one, Madam Chair? I'm so concerned about these agencies having the proper staffing. 1:37:10 We called and the like and how they are working to serve the people of the Virgin Islands and their clientele and their customers. So no one was there, no one was answering the phone when we went there as well yesterday twice. So I do have some concerns regarding just the manning of these offices and I know we are going to be able to follow up in the committees of jurisdiction and the overall operations of our government to assure that they are working efficiently. Madam Chair, thank you so much for the time. You're welcome Senator Joseph. Senator Milton Potter, Vice Chair of Rules, you may proceed. 1:40:40 Two minutes. Thank you so very much Madam Chair. Absolutely, Madam Chair, the passing of an annual budget is perhaps the single greatest, single most important function for us as a body. Without question, it provides us with a financial roadmap for the government's activities and ensures the responsible allocation of resources. It allows us to plan. It allows us to prioritize key initiatives in areas such as education, which many of our colleagues spoke about today, health care, infrastructure, public safety, etc. and we consider that while looking at our revenue projections and I know several of our colleagues earlier today mentioned the unrealized projections particularly as it relates to anticipated revenues for disaster recovery projects and I really believe six years out from hurricanes Arma and Maria, we are fully aware and it is legitimate to say that a big part of why we are unable to realize some of our projected revenues from disaster recovery projects is because we are challenged in the area of recruiting and retaining talent. That is a big albatross around our neck my feeling as an elected official is that at this point we have to do more than express frustration at our inability to recruit talent because we recognize it and i think we're going 1:41:22 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 8 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary to be singing that song for the next three or four years unless we are diligent and intentional in our collaborative 30 seconds between this body as well as the executive branch where it is our intentional effort to develop creative strategies to find the talent that is necessary to complete these projects it's not good enough to say look it's out of our hands we're having a hard time finding talents we have to be creative and think outside the box not just the executive branch but also this body we need to work collaboratively to make sure that that happens Finally, I would definitely want to express my kudos to the Committee on Budget Appropriations and Committee, the Chairman, as well as the members and non-members of this committee who were instrument, as well as the Pulsada Division and their team, Mr. Vincent Samuel. Speedy Recovery to you, Vince, for all the work and tireless hours that went into making this budget a reality. 1:43:16 you very much Madam Chair. Thank you Senator Potter. Senator Franklin Johnson you may proceed two minutes. Thank you very much Madam Chair. Support these initiatives and understand that it is the most single important thing that we do here and when you start talking about projections and markup and trying to crunch the numbers is that an easy task for anyone and the team and I've took many took part in many of these hearings because I do want to understand this process more and it's a learning process for all of us, irregardless of how long you're in the Senate and in these chambers, that when the budget time comes, it's a whole different ballgame. You have to be very tentative. You even have to look at some of your colleagues when they're making all kind of face at you when you object to certain things. Nevertheless, you have to always stay focused and it's been a experience every time that I go to any of the budget hearing I continuously learn and go in and understand this process but projection is one thing meeting that budget is a whole different ballgame and if we don't bring those numbers as close as possible to base on projection we could have a lot of shortfalls and create a lot of havoc in our government so this is one of the most important tasks as an elected official and at the appropriate time I I will be supporting these measures. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. 1:44:26 Thank you, Senator Johnson. Senator Gittins, you may proceed. Two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning again to all. You know, I'm fully aware that time is a factor in making a decision on the 2024 budget however I am of the belief that we need to get all the information together from the executive branch and the Epstein settlements in order for us to be able to close this budget cycle. I am not again warm and fuzzy but I have to do what I have to do and as a member of of this body I am still unaware of the sums of monies received by this government or that is expected to be received. And while today we may move these bills from this committee onto the full body, I am still hopeful that we will be able to get that information so that an informed and complete decision can be made. 1:45:55 you at the appropriate time, I will vote on each of these measures. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator Gettins. Senator Bulquez, you may proceed. Two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair and colleagues, I'm very pleased to be a part of the budget process as I was not a member of the Committee on Budget Appropriations and Finance. I was able to attend most of its meetings and of course the markup process as well which was led by senator diana fred gregory and the dedicated members of the committee along with other non-committee members who all along with myself um you know got to the grit of it um with the post audit division concerning balancing the budget i want to commend all of the remarkable commitment and fiscal responsibility and diligent financial stewardship of the chair and all of the senators that participated um our tireless dedication to the task of balancing the budget reflects our unwavering commitment to the well-being of this territory additionally i'd like to also commend the post audit division who has been very instrumental in the process um your rigorous thorough examination of financial records audit reports has been invaluable and has given us insights and recommendations on how to enhance the financial accountability and transparency throughout the process your dedication of ensuring financial responsibility is truly 1:47:28 commendable so i thank everyone in the post audit division madam chair i'm looking forward to voting in the affirmative for all of these budget bills moving forward and I commend each and every one of you for all of your efforts in the process. Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Senator Bolkis. Madam Clerk you may proceed with my two minutes. I just want to say as I mentioned earlier that I am not a member of the Finance Committee but I attended many of the meetings and yesterday while I attended the last committee meeting this government and the legislature work together to I guess identify 69 million dollars from the ARPA funds to fill that gap and what really concerns me is I hope we are in a better position next next budget cycle that we don't have to be looking for this because we may not have ARPA funds the next budget cycle or the cycle after that. So that really concerns me. So I just want to again say thank you to the post auditor and his team. And everyone, even my staff who worked diligently, we worked up until 11 o'clock, 11.30 last night, making sure that the process of getting these bills cleared through this committee to the full body was successful. With that being said, I would proceed now to Senator Francis. 1:49:13 You can proceed with two minutes. You can close out. Thank you very much Madam Chair and thank you for this opportunity. I wanted to use the simplest of analogy for the public to understand our budget. You know, basically it's the income that you receive versus the expenditures equal the budget. great in this case is what um when you amplify that as 1:51:10 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 9 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary a checkbook for the government is is where you're actually doing projections you're basing your um your income based on history historical information um in respect to what's coming into the government to the virgin islands you know and in this particular budget we made sure that we uh despite the challenge by um revenues that we we wanted to ensure that there's a rainy day fund for example because you know we need to be able to have a funding maintained for rainy days we ensure that the insurance guarantee fund was maintained and that it went back up to the 50 million dollars that's required by law that that is certainly untouched and we've made sure that that happened vendors payment is so critical that we continue to pay our local vendors especially you know in terms of a lot of the capital projects that we're seeing here our vendors or local vendors in particular is not being paid in a timely fashion which presents some challenges you know for their employees again those individuals are circulate money within our economy and able to allow us to provide us a level of service to this community when there is an opportunity for us to be able to see some windfall some additional money come in the Epstein expenses the ARPA expenses of those type of things we want to make sure that those are put the proper use you know so that it could benefit this entire community so you know I just wanted to kind of just explain that we have a 960 million dollar budget and you know with some additional monies coming in that drive us over a little over a 1 billion dollars and we still have a number of we keep talking about those capacity building issues but we have individuals here that we have to maximize and make sure individuals are paid in a timely fashion and start to complete some of these projects you know so that we could encourage it and then you know move to bring in additional individuals to make sure that we're completing our projects in a timely fashion and leaving this community in a better state that we have met it so again I want to ask my colleagues support on this tremendous amount of work that I've got into the budget and to come in each and every one of you for your participation and the effort that we put forth in this matter and of course for the first time the legislature also presented their budget and we look forward to our central staff you know receiving adequate salary increases and better pay which they have not seen for quite some time when they are riding tides floats all boats so we want to make sure that similar to what's happening in central government and that our legislative central staff also are compensated thank you very much for the time and opportunity Madam Chair. Thank you Senator Francis, Senate President. So at this time I'll entertain a motion on bill number 35-014. 1:52:55 Motion. Motion Senator Potter. Madam Chair I move that bill number 35-0141 an act providing an appropriation from the general fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, be favorably considered by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule, Rule 3.1.3.A.10, for further consideration and action. I so move. Properly moved by Senator Potter, seconded by Senator Carla Joseph. May I have roll call on bill number 35-0141. Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr. Yay. Senator Boquez, yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart, yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, Senator Gittins, not voting. Yes, yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James, yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson, yay senator johnson yay senator carla j joseph senator joseph yay senator milton e potter yes senator potter yay madam chair you have seven yays thank you madam cleric bill number 35-014 an act providing an appropriation from the general fund of the treasury of the government of the virgin islands for the operation of of the government of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 has been voted upon favorably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out of 1:54:29 out to the full body under close rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration motion motion senator potter madam chair i moved that bill number 35-0142 an act providing an appropriation for the operating expense of the virgin islands board of education from the general fund of the treasury of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 be favorably voted upon by the committee on rules and judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule rule 313 a 10 for further consideration and action i so move Second. Second. 1:56:48 Properly moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Boquez, roll call on Bill No. 35-0142. Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr. Yay. Senator Boquez, Jr., yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Senator Gittins yes Senator Gittins yay Senator Maurice C. James yes Senator James yay Senator Franklin D. Johnson yay Senator Carla J. Joseph yes Senator Joseph yay Senator Milton E. Potter Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. 1:57:39 Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0142, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expense of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin and islands during the fiscal year, October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably passed by this committee and now will be reported out of this committee to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. 1:58:37 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 10 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Motion. Motion, Senator Potter. Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 35.0143, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expense of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, be favourably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313810, for further consideration and action. I so move. 1:59:17 Second. Second. Properly moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator Borges, may I have clerk roll call on bill number 35-0143. Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. 1:59:59 Yes. Senator Gittins, Yeah. Senator Marie C. James. Yes. Senator James, Yeah. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. 2:00:28 Bill number 35-0143, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out of this committee to the full body under close rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration motion motion senator potter madam chair i move that act bill number 35-0144 an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the virgin islands career and technical education board from the general fund of the treasury of the government of the virgin islands during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 be favorably voted upon by the committee on rules and judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule rule three one three eight ten for further consideration and action I so move second probably moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator Borges madam clerk roll call on bill number thirty five 0144. Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Bocas, yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. 2:00:55 Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Senator Gittins not voting. Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. 2:02:46 Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0144, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out of this committee to the full body under the close rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Motion. Recognize Senator Potter for your motion. 2:03:32 Madam Chair, I move that bill number 35-0145 and act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the general fund of the treasury of the government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, be favourably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313A10, for further consideration and action. I so move. 2:04:26 Second. Properly moved by Senator Potter, seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator Bulquez. Madam Clerk, roll call on Bill No. 35-0145. Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr.? Yeah. Senator Borges, yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. 2:05:07 Senator Gittins, yeah. Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yeah. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0145, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 has been voted upon favourably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under Close Rule No. 313A10 for further consideration. 2:05:37 Motion. Recognize Senator Potter on your motion. Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 35-0146, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 be favorably considered, be favorably voted upon by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313A10 for further consideration and action. I so move. 2:06:43 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 11 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Second. Go on. Properly moved by Senator Potter and seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator Boquez. Madam Clerk, roll call in Bill Number 35-0146. Angel L. Boquez, Jr.? Yeah. Senator Boquez, Jr., yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? 2:07:28 Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. bill number 35-0146, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the public employees relation board and the Virgin Islands labor management committee for the fiscal year, October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under close rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Motion. 2:07:59 Recognize Senator Potter on your motion. Madam Chair, I move that bill number 35-0147, an act providing an appropriation for the legislature of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, be favourably voted on by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313A10 for further consideration and action. I so move. 2:09:04 Second. Second. Properly moved by Senator Potter, seconded by Senator Bolkis and Senator Joseph. Madam Clerk, roll call and bill number 35-0147. Senator Angel L. Bocas, Jr.? Yay. Senator Bocas, Jr., yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. 2:09:38 Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0147, an act providing an appropriation for the legislature of the virgin islands for the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30th 2024 has been voted upon favorably but and passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under close rule number 313 a10 for further consideration Colleagues, this concludes block number two. We're cooking with gas. So, we are now in block three of the budget bills. And... 48. 2:10:10 That... Colleagues, we can go straight into... go straight into three. Yes, I'll entertain your motion. Senator Carla Joseph. Madam Chair, motion, Madam Chair. Madam Chair and colleagues, I move that bill number 35.0148, an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the the judicial branch of the government of the virgin islands the judicial council and the office of the territorial public defender during the fiscal year october 1st 2023 through september 30th Are there One Okay, madam chair, I'm hearing that we want to recess. Yes, we're going to take a recess. Thank you so much, madam chair No, I did not Let's go. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. 2:11:24 Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. 2:14:46 Thank you. Thank you. 2:16:16 Thank you. Committee of rules is out of recess colleagues this is block number three I would give my colleagues an opportunity if you would like to speak on any of these budget bills in block three hearing no I will entertain a motion if if none of my colleagues a miss madam Madam Chair, Madam Chair, um, I had a motion on the floor and at this time I will withdraw that motion that I was in the middle of making and, um, grant grace and the opportunity for our colleagues to, uh, speak on the measures as delineated in block three and I will be making the appropriate motion, uh, at the appropriate time. Thank you kindly, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator Joseph. Senator Maurice James or colleagues, anyone have anything to state in Block 3? 2:17:16 Yes, Madam Chair. Senator Gittins, you may proceed. Two minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just wanted to say thank you to the committee. I did, Senator Francis, and I did submit legislation to create a miscellaneous fund for the Department of Human Services for residents in the territory, and the funding is known as the Crisis Rapid Response Act, where we asked for $100,000 for each district. We've seen a challenge in the territory where individuals are airlifted for further medical reasons and are unable to return back to the territory or sadly the person had died and it was very difficult in getting the bodies back to the territory. So I wanted to say thank you to the committee for addressing this. I noticed that it's in the miscellaneous budget. It was slightly reduced, But nevertheless, we had to balance this budget and I'm grateful to see that the response was able to get $75,000 per district. 2:18:51 So again, thank you for the work that you have done in this regard, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator Gittins. Any other colleagues? Senator Joseph? Motion. Motion, Senator Joseph. Motion. Motion. Recognize. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair and colleagues, I move that bill number 35-0148, an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 be favorably voted upon in this 2:20:28 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 12 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary committee and forwarded to the full body and be subject to the closed rule as stated in Rule 3.1.3.A.10 of the Rules of the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. I so move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Carla Joseph and seconded by Senator Borges, Madam Clerk roll call on bill number 35-0148. Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart. Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins. Yeah. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator james yay senator franklin d johnson yay senator johnson yay senator kala j joseph yes senator joseph yay senator milton e potter senator potter yay madam chair you have seven yays thank you madam clerk bill number 35-0148 an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the judicial branch of the government of the Virgin Islands the Judicial Council and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1 2023 through September 30th 2024 has been voted upon favorably passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 3 1 3 a 10 for further consideration motion motion senator Carla Joseph thank you so much madam chair mother madam chair and and colleagues I move that bill number 35-0149 an act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor for the fiscal year October 1st 2023 through September 30th, 2024, be favorably voted upon in this committee and forwarded to the full body subject to the closed rule as stated in rule 313A10 of the 2:21:49 rules of the 35th legislature of the Virgin Islands. I so move. Properly moved by Senator Joseph, seconded by Senator Potter and Senator Bulquez, Madam Clerk will call on Bill No. 35-0149. Senator Angel L. Bulquez Jr.? Yeah. 2:24:24 Senator Bulquez Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? yes senator gettins yay senator maurice c james yes senator james yay senator franklin d johnson yay senator johnson yay senator kala j joseph yes senator joseph yay senator milton e potter yes senator potter yay madam chair you have seven years thank you madam clerk bill number 35-0149 an act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the virgin islands board of election and the office of the supervisor for the fiscal year october 1 2023 through September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Motion. 2:24:50 To hear a motion on bill number 35-0150, Senator Joseph. Yes, Madam Chair and colleagues, I rise to move that bill number 35.0150, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 38. 2024 be favorably voted upon in this committee and forwarded to the full body subject to the closed rules as stated in rule 313A10 of the rules of the 35th legislature of the Virgin Islands. I so move. 2:26:05 Second. Properly moved by Senator Joseph and seconded by Senator Borges. Madam Clerk roll call on bill number 35-0150. Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Boquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. 2:27:00 Senator Gittins, Yeah. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Yes. Senator James. Yes. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson. Yes. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph. Yes. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter. Yes. Senator Potter. Yes. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. 2:27:29 Thank you, Madam Clerk. 35-0150, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year, October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon unfavorably passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the close rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration to a motion on bill number thirty five that's zero one five four one um senator chair madam chair and colleagues, I move that Bill number 35.0151, an act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body, subject to the closed rule as stated in Rule 313A10 of the Rules of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, I so move. 2:27:58 Second. Second. Properly moved by Senator Joseph and seconded by Senator Potter and Senator Bolquez. Madam Clerk, roll call on Bill No. 35-0151. Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr. Yeah. Senator Borges, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart, yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, yes. Senator Gittins, yeah. Senator Maurice C. James, yes. Senator James, yeah. Senator Franklin D. Johnson, yeah. 2:29:28 Senator Johnson, yeah. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0151, an act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands during this fiscal year, October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to 2:30:08 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 13 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary the full body, under the Closed Rule Number 313A10 for further consideration. Motion. I hear a motion. Senator Joseph. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair and colleagues, I move the Bill Number 35.0152, an act providing an appropriation from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body be subject and be subject to the closed rule as stated in rule 313810 of the rules of the 35th legislature of the virgin islands i so move second properly moved by senator joseph and seconded by senator potter and senator bolquez madam clerk will call and bill number 35-0152 Senator Anghel L. Borges, Jr. 2:30:58 Yeah. Senator Borges, Jr., yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yeas. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0152, an act providing an appropriation from the anti-litter and beautification fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for operating expenses during the fiscal year, October 1, 2023, through September 30th, 24, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. 2:32:11 Motion. Recognize Senator Joseph on your motion. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair and colleagues, I move that bill number 35.0153, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forward it to the full body and be subject to the closed rule as stated in rule 313810 of the rules of the 35th legislature of the virgin islands i so move properly moved by senator joseph and seconded by senator potter and senator boquez madam clerk will call on bill number 35-0153. senator angel l boquez jr yeah senator boquez jr yay senator diane t capehart yes senator capehart yay senator kenneth l gittins yes senator gittins yay senator maurice c james yes senator james yay senator franklin d johnson yay senator johnson yay senator kala j joseph yes senator joseph yay senator milton e potter yes senator potter yay madam chair you have seven yays Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0153, an act providing an appropriation for the 2:33:26 operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year, October 1st, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably and passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration motion recognize senator joseph on your motion thank you so much madam chair madam chair and colleagues I move that bill number 35-0154 an act providing an appropriation from the business and commercial properties revolving fund to the Virgin Islands Department of property and procurement for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1st 2023 through September 30th 2024 be favorably voted upon in the this committee and forwarded to the full body and subject to the closed rule as stated I'm sorry I'm sorry as stated in rule three one three eight ten of the rules of the thirty-fifth legislature of the Virgin Islands I so move back on properly moved by Senator Joseph and seconded by Senator Potter and Senator Boquez. Madam Clerk will call on bill number 35-0154. Senator Angel L. Boquez Jr. Yeah. Senator Boquez Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart. Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. yes Senator Gittins yay Senator Maurice C. James yes Senator James yay Senator Franklin D. Johnson yay Senator Johnson yay Senator Carla J. Joseph yes Senator Joseph yay Senator Milton E. Potter Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. 2:35:17 Thank you. Bill number 35-0154, an act providing an appropriation from the business and commercial properties revolving fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses during the fiscal year, October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably by this committee and now pass, will be passed to be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Point of personal privilege, Madam Chair. 2:37:39 points of personal privilege senator Joseph thank you madam chair you know we have a situation in the Bovoni area where I'm from and I know that the governor has declared a state of emergency so we should be having some and I really commend him for that because the schools in that East and Bertha CBO Shelter as well as Antilles have been closed since the dump fire at the Bovoni Landfill. 2:38:25 And I'm hoping that with the appropriations we make to the Fire and Emergency Service as well as the Waste Management Authority, based on what we just passed recently, that They will put it into good use so that we could have an opportunity to have energy waste to energy here in the Virgin Islands because it's all of the methane gas that's been collected over the years that that's why we're having all of these fires. The fire is always burning no matter how you are outed. So I'm hopeful that we'll have conversations circulated and discussed regarding that subject with the landfill fire in 2:39:01 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 14 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary St. Thomas. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Joseph. I understand and I feel for the individuals in that area. I'd like to recognize non-committee member, Senator Ray Fonseca, who's joined us today. Thank you for your attendance. Colleagues, we just finished block three. And Senator James, you are number one. If you would like to take your two minutes during this round. Senator Maurice James. 2:39:45 Senator James. Media. Madam Madam Chair. No. Okay. Senator Joseph. I'm Madam Chair. I believed I have spoken on all of the bills as I mentioned I was there in the committee meetings and so I would not have anything further to say because this is just the clearinghouse so thank you so much madam chair for the opportunity okay senator Potter thank you very much madam chair I I also waive my right to speak on these bills. I already gave my general statement at the inception of this meeting. 2:40:27 Thank you very much. Well, we're doing good, so I'm giving the two minutes. Senator Franklin Johnson? Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Two minutes well needed, but at the appropriate time I will be voting on all of these measures. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Okay. Senator Bolquez? Thank you, Madam Chair. I would also state with my colleagues that at the opening of this segment we discussed the process and I don't think that there's anything further that needs to be discussed. These bills have all been properly vetted and due diligence has been been done concerning these bills and balancing the budget. So I am very comfortable with moving forward. Okay, great. Thank you, Madam Chair. You're welcome. Senator Francis. 2:41:13 Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I presented all the bills on behalf of the institution. So again, I implore my colleagues to continue to support these measures and move them forward. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, for the time and opportunity. Thank you, Senator Francis. Non-Committee Members, Senator Fonseca, two minutes. Yes. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Blessings and good morning to all of the listening audience. You know, I'm not a member of the Rules and Judiciary Committee, but I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of my colleagues in the legislature and especially uh the chair woman of the committee on budget uh for non-stop work the post audit division and all of the staff of the legislature i would like to particularly point out that even though I don't have a vote on this committee, ultimately I will be supporting all of these measures. I wanted to point out particularly some of the items that the legislature was able to pass and to recommend for approval concerning the non-profit agencies that so help our community such as the american cancer society catholic charities my brother's workshop the village partner in in recovery who addresses the substance abuse and and alcoholism issues the women's family resource center we got a generator for herbert grig home for the elderly that's right our elderly patients residents at herbert grig home will now have a generator and also the St. Thomas Rescue, that organization that risked their lives every day for no compensation to come to assist us. So I am so proud of this accomplishment that the legislature has been able to move forward and at the appropriate time when I do have a vote in on the session I will be supporting all of these measures and I'd like to thank you so very much for this opportunity madam chair and blessings blessings blessing oh that's right I also want to join my colleague for Bovoni that just spoke about the fire you know we need to have another fire hydrant in the Bovoni area these fires are being too constant and I understand there's only one fire hydrant we need fire to make the provision so that we can have another fire hydrant in that area. Thank you and blessings and pleasant good afternoon to all of the listening audience. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the time. Thank you very much, Senator Fonseca. Colleagues, do I hear a motion regarding the items in Block No. 4? Motion. Motion. Senator Johnson, 2:42:12 Mr. Chair, I move that Bill No. 350155, an act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Alliance for the physical year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, be voted on favourably in the Committee of Rules and Judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule Act, Rule 3313A10 for further consideration. I so move. 2:45:37 Properly moved by Senator Johnson, seconded by Senator Joseph and Senator bokehs roll call on bill number 35-0155 senator angel l bokehs jr yay senator bokehs yay senator diane t capehart senator capehart absent senator kenneth l gittins yes yes senator getton's yay senator maurice c james here here here here yay or nay yes senator james yay senator franklin d johnson yay senator johnson yay senator kala j joseph Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. 2:46:18 Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Senator Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-055, an act 35-0155. 35-0155, an act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. 2:47:26 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 15 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Do I hear a motion on bill number 35-0156? Senator Johnson? Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 350156, an act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and the Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, be voted on favourably in the Committee of rules and judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule act rule 313 for further consideration. I so move. Okay. 2:48:28 Properly moved by Senator Johnson and seconded by Senator Bolquez and Senator Bolquez and Potter. Madam Clerk will call on bill number 35-0156. Senator Anghel L. Boquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Boquez, yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. 2:49:18 Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yes. Yes. Senator Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson. Yay. Senator Kala J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph. Yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter. Yay. 2:49:47 Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0156, an act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and the Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the close rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration do i hear a motion do i hear a motion and bill number 35-0157 senator johnson madam chair i move that bill number 350157 an act providing for lump sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and contribution to the general fund for physical year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, be voted on favorably in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule Act, Rule 313A10 for Further consideration, I so move. Second. Second. Properly moved by Senator Johnson, seconded by Senator Potter, Senator Bulquez, and Senator Joseph. 2:50:13 Madam Clerk, roll call on Bill No. 35-0157. Senator Angel L. Bulquez, Jr.? Yeah. Senator Bulquez, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins, yay? Senator Maurice C. James? Senator Maurice? Yes. Senator James, yay? Senator Franklin D. Johnson? 2:51:54 Yay. Senator Johnson, yay? Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay? Senator Milton E. Potter, Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0157, an act providing for the lump sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and a contribution to the general fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. has been voted upon favorably passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Do I hear a motion? Do I hear a motion? Motion Senator Johnson. 2:52:32 Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 350158, an act providing for the lump sum appropriation from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Service for the physical year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, be voted on favorably in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule, Rule 313-810 for further consideration, I move. So move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Johnson, seconded by Senator Carla Joseph and Senator Boquez. 2:53:37 Madam Clerk, roll call on Bill No. 35-0158. Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Boquez, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Senator Capehart, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? 2:54:19 Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you. Bill number 35-0158, an act providing for the lump sum appropriation from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Service for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. 2:54:53 Do I hear a motion on bill number 35-0160? Do I hear a motion? Motion. Senator Johnson, recognize you for any motion. Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 350160, an act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Latri as a contribution to the General Fund for the physical year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, be voted on favourably in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and be forward to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313-A10 for further consideration. I so move. Back on. 2:55:42 Properly moved by Senator Johnson, seconded by Senator Potter, Senator Boquez, and Senator Joseph. Madam Clerk, roll call in Bill Number 35-0160. Senator Angel L. Boquez, Jr.? Yeah. Senator Boquez, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart? Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. 2:56:33 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 16 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Senator Getins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Frank Lindy Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. you have seven years. Thank you. Bill number 35-0160, an act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the general fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration. Do I hear a motion? Motion Senator Johnson. Madam Chair I move that bill number thirty five zero one six one an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the waste management authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, be voted on favourably in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the Closed Rule, Rule 313A10 for further consideration. 2:57:03 I so move. Move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Johnson and seconded by Senator Potter, Senator Joseph, and Senator Borges. Madam Clerk, we will call on Bill No. 35-0161. Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr. Yeah. Senator Borges, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins, yay? Yes. 2:58:48 Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yay? Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yay. Senator Johnson, yay? Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay? Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay? Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0161, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably. passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Do I hear a motion? 2:59:27 Motion. Recognize Senator Johnson on your motion. Madam Chair, I move that bill number 350162, an act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024 be voted on favorably in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and be forwarded to the full body pursuant to the closed rule, Rule 313-A10 for further consideration. I so move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Johnson, seconded by Senator Potter and Senator Bolquez. Madam Clerk may have roll call on bill number 35-0162. Senator Angel L. Bolquez, Jr. 3:00:30 Yeah. Senator Bolquez, Jr., yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart, yes. Senator Capehart, yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. No, and I objected to that as well. Senator Gittins, no. Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yay. 3:01:24 Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph? Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have six yeas, one no. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0162, an act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxi Cab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, has been voted upon favorably by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number three one three eight ten for further consideration colleagues this concludes block number four as I did give everyone opportunity me the opportunity in the last block to have two minutes we can go straight into block five and go home so colleagues um if i hate i no one wants to take uh two minutes i will entertain a motion Madam Chair, thank you. I appreciate you extending the two minutes for this block as I wanted to elaborate on bill number 35-0169, appropriating funds to the Virgin Islands, Department of Education for Virgin Islands textbooks and the completion of the K-8 social studies curriculum workbooks. 3:01:51 It's a valuable investment that needs to be had. I wholeheartedly support this, which provides a crucial appropriation of $500,000 specifically for the final editing and the proofing of the Virgin Islands history textbooks, the printing of the hardcover editions of the textbooks. It enhances educational resources available to our children, improves our curriculum, not alone from the civic standpoint, but of course, teaching our Virgin Islands history, something that we've fought for for such a long time. I thank Senator Donna Fred Gregory, along with myself and others who will also support it for making this valuable investment in the history and future of our children. Thank you, Madam Chair. 3:03:48 Thank you, Senator Volquez. At this time, I will entertain a motion on bill number 35-0163. Motion. Motion. Recognize Senator Maurice James on your motion. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 35-0163, an act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, virgin islands department of agriculture the virgin islands department of sports parks and recreation and the virgin islands department of tourism during the fiscal year october 1 2023 through september 30 2024 be favorably approved by the committee on rules and judiciary pursuant to the close rule three one 3:04:42 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 17 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary three eight ten and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action i so move properly moved by senator james and seconded by senator bolquez senator potter and senator joseph Madam clerk might have roll call and bill number 35-0163. Senator Angel L. Bocas, Jr. Yeah. Senator Bocas, Jr. Yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart. Yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins. Yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. 3:06:21 Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0163. an act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, during the fiscal year, October 1, 23 through September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the Closed Rule Number 313A10 for further consideration. 3:06:49 Do I hear a motion? Motion. Senator James you're recognized. Madam Chair I move that bill number 35.0164 an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles from the Transportation Trust Fund during the fiscal year October 1st 2023 to September 30th 2024 be favorably approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary pursuant to the Closed Rule 313A-10 and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. I so move. 3:08:02 Properly moved by Senator Maurice James and seconded by Senator Potter, Senator Bolquez and Senator Joseph Madame Kirk roll call and bill number thirty five that's zero one six four. Senator Angel L. Bolquez jr. Yeah. Senator Bolquez jr. Yay. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Senator Capehart. yea. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? Yes. Senator Gittins, yea. Senator Maurice C. James? Yes. Senator James, yea. Senator Franklin D. Johnson? Yea. Senator Johnson, yea. Senator Carla J. Joseph? 3:08:45 Senator Joseph, yea. Senator Milton E. Potter? Yes. Senator Potter, yea. Madam Chair, you have seven and yeas. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0164, an act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles from the Transportation Fund during the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30th, 2024, has been voted upon favorably. passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the Close Rule No. 313A10 for further consideration. Do I hear a motion in Bill No. 35-0165, Senator Maurice James, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. 3:09:34 Madam Chair, I move that Bill 35.0165, an act of providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guarantee Fund as a contribution to the general fund of the government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, be favorably approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary pursuant to the Close Rule 313810 and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. I so move. Second. Second. Properly moved by Senator Maurice James, seconded by Senator Potter, Senator Bolquez, Senator Joseph. Madam Clerk, roll call and bill number 35-0165. Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. 3:10:34 Yeah. Senator Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart Yes. Senator Capehart Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins Yes. Senator Gittins Yeah. Senator Maurice C. James Yes, Senator James yay, Senator Franklin D. Johnson Yay, Senator Johnson yay, Senator Carla J. Joseph Senator Joseph yay, Senator Milton E. Potter Senator Potter yay, Madam Chair you have seven yays Thank you bill number 35-0165 an act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guarantee Fund as a contribution to the general fund of the government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1 2023 to September 30th 2024 has been voted upon favorably passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the closed rule number 313 A10 for further consideration. Motion. I recognize Senator James for your motion. Madam Chair I move that bill number 35 that 0166 an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Bureau of School construction and maintenance during the fiscal year October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 be favourably approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary pursuant to the Closed Rule 313A-10 and 3:11:29 forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. I so move. Properly moved by Senator Maurice James and seconded by Senator Potter and and Senator Bolkis, Madam Clerk may have roll call in Bill number 35-0166. Senator Angel L. Bolkis Jr. Yeah. Senator Bolkis Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. 3:13:20 Senator Gittins, Yeah. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. 3:13:56 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 18 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Bill number 35-0166, an act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintainance during the fiscal year, October 1, 2023 through September 30th, 2024 has been voted upon favorably. Passed by this committee, it now will be reported out the full body under the close rule number 313A10 for further consideration. Motion. Motion. Recognize Senator Maurice James for your motion. 3:14:23 Madam Chair. I move that bill number 35.0167 an act providing an appropriation from the district public road fund to the virgin islands department of public works for the repairs of the government road in a state crown and hock st thomas be favorably approved by the committee on rules and judiciary pursuant to the close rule 313 810 and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action i so move naka properly moved by senator marish jim and seconded by senator joseph senator bolquez and senator potter madam clerk roll call and bill number 35-0167. 3:15:06 Senator Angel L. Borges, Jr. Yeah. Senator Borges, Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, Yeah. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, Yeah. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yeah. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. 3:16:00 Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0167, an act providing an appropriation from the district public road Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for the repairs of the government road in Estate Crown and Hawk St. Thomas has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee, and now will be reported out to the full body under the Closed Rule Number 313A10 for further consideration. Do I hear a motion? Motion. Recognize Senator Maurice James for your motion. Thank you, Madam Chair. 3:16:38 Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 35-0168, an act providing an appropriation of $300,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 To the University of the Virgin Islands for the construction of two sheds at John Brewer's Beach on St. Thomas Virgin Islands be favourably approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary pursuant to the Closed Rule 313A10 and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. I so move. Second. Properly moved by Senator Maurice James and seconded by Senator Carla Joseph, Senator Potter and Senator Bulquez. May I have a roll call in bill number 35-0168. 3:17:27 Senator Angel L. Bulquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Bulquez, Jr. Yeah. Senator Dianne T. K. Part. Yes. Senator K. Partier. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Maurice C. James. Yes. Senator James, yay. Senator Franklin D. Joseph. 3:18:23 Johnson. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Sorry. Yes. Senator Johnson, yes. Senator Johnson, yes. Senator Karla J. Joseph, yes. Senator Joseph, yes. Senator Milton E. Potter, yes. Senator Potter, yes. Senator Potter, yes. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0168, an act providing an appropriation of 300,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2024 to the University of the Virgin Islands for the construction of two sheds at John Brewer's Beach on St. Thomas Virgin Islands has been voted upon favourably, passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the Closed Rule Number 313A10 for further consideration. 3:18:53 I recognize Senator Maurice James for your motion. Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that bill number 35.0169, an act providing an appropriation of $500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 to the Department of Education Division of Curriculum and Instruction for final editing and proofing of customized Virgin Islands history textbooks, printing hardcover editions of customized Virgin Islands history textbooks, and completion of the K through 8 social studies curriculum be favorably approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary pursuant to the Closed Rule 313A10 and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. I so move. 3:19:58 Second. Properly moved by Senator Maurice James and seconded by Senator Carla Joseph, Senator Bolquez, and Senator Partha. May I have roll call on Bill number 35-0169. Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Bocas Jr. Yeah. Senator Diane T. Capehart. Yes. Senator Capehart, Yeah. 3:21:03 Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes. Senator Gittins, Yeah. Senator Marie C. James. Yes. Senator James, Yeah. Senator Franklin D. Johnson. Yay. Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla J. Joseph. Yes. Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Milton E. Potter. Yes. Senator Potter, yay. Madam Chair, you have seven yays. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 35-0169, an act providing an appropriation of 500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2024, to the Department of Education Division of Curriculum and Instruction for Final Editing and Proofing of Customized Virgin Islands History Textbook, Printing Hardcover Edition of Customized Virgin Islands History Textbook, and the of K-8 social studies curriculum has been voted upon favorably, passed by this committee and now will be reported out to the full body under the Closed Rule number 313A10 for further consideration. 3:21:33 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 19 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Colleagues, this concludes Block 1, 2, 3, 4, N. and five of the leases that we had before us and the 2024 budget bills. I wanna say thank you all. I'll give this opportunity to Senator Novel Francis, our Senate president, if you wanted to have a few words, please, you may proceed. 3:22:59 Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and thank you to the Committee of Rules and Judiciary members for again moving this budget forward and as we continue and endeavor to move a balanced budget these measures will be heard during session on Friday September 22nd at the legislature and and then they'll be voted upon and then followed on to the governor for consideration. Additionally on Friday we'll be also hearing the request for the government insurance with Cigna in a committee of whole and then will be voted upon as well. So we're doing all that we can to address the issue of making sure that we move a balanced budget. The issue at hand today is in respect to the Department of Education and the teachers work slow down and basically the advisory that has been put forth in respect to some of the working conditions at the Department of Education and I've been provided with a whole listing of some of the aggrieved issues that these individuals are protesting on and of course the number one item on the list today is certainly the issue of the heat throughout the territory and we continue to implore and ask whatever needs to be done to address this particular issue with the heat that we move post-haste to do that when additional to that they're they're very concerned about another a number of other matters that this legislative body will be looking at and at some point meeting 3:23:35 with the powers to be because we want to make sure and ensure that we are bringing some semblance of order to the Department of Education and not have our students be out for any extended period of time. Electrical upgrades, water issues, lack of supplies, lack of internet connectivity, employee shortages, broken freezers and coolers, air quality tests, need for school security, working cameras insufficient, school buses, deployable working conditions, proper maintainers, lack of copier machines, you know, these are all issues that I believe are within our purview and within reasonableness that we should be able to handle. So at the appropriate time, I know that we'll be sitting down collectively to try to address these issues as we move forward. But today, I want to commend the Rules and Judiciary Committee for moving the budget forward. And thank you very much for the time and opportunity, Madam Chair. 3:25:21 Thank you, Senate President Francis. Colleagues, we started at 9.45 this morning for the Committee of Rules and Judiciary. Our meeting has concluded at 12.45. I want to say at this time, this committee, my committee members, I thank you for being so cooperative and taking each block and reading all the bills that were before us today I want to be able to thank my staff could not have done this without them I want to thank the support staff of the legislature I want to thank media legislative reporters sergeant of arms for your assistance also central staff anyone that made this meeting possible today hearing no further business for the committee and rules and judiciary on September 20th is hereby adjourn God bless the people out of Virgin Islands Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. 3:26:20 Thank you. One, two, three, four. 3:31:12 We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Let's go. Bye. 3:32:12 People named in this transcript SUSPECTED, and a finding aid only. Names were matched by machine against the spellings used across all 426 of our transcripts, and the title is the one used in the room. Being named here is NOT evidence that a person attended or spoke · only that the name was said. Speech recognition mishears names, so a spelling may be wrong even where no alternative is offered. 89x Senator Milton E. Potter heard in this transcript as: Milton Potter, Potter 84x Senator Carla Joseph the surname alone also matches: Clifford Joseph; Karla J. Joseph heard in this transcript as: Carla J. Joseph, Joseph 76x Senator Marise C. James the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Giovanni James Sr heard in this transcript as: James, Marie C. James, Maurice C. James, Maurice James 74x Senator Franklin D. Johnson heard in this transcript as: Frank Lindy Johnson, Franklin Johnson, Johnson 64x Senator Kenneth L. Gittens heard in this transcript as: Gettins, Gittins, Kenneth L. Gittins Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 20 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary 57x Senator Diane T. Capeheart heard in this transcript as: Capehart, Diane T. Capehart 51x Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. heard in this transcript as: Angel L. Bolques Jr., Angel L. Bolquez, Angel L. Bolquez Jr., Angel L. Boquez Jr, Angel L. Boquez Jr., Angel L. Bulquez Jr 21x Senator Angel L. Borges Jr heard in this transcript as: Angel Borges, Angel L. Borges Jr., Anghel L. Borges Jr., Borges, Borges Jr. 15x Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr heard in this transcript as: Angel L. Bocas Jr., Bocas, Bocas Jr, Bocas Jr. 15x Senator Novelle Francis heard in this transcript as: Francis, Norvell E. Francis Jr, Novel E. Francis Jr, Novel Francis, Novell E. Francis Jr 6x Senator Angel L. Bolkis Jr heard in this transcript as: Bolkis, Bolkis Jr 4x Senator Karla J. Joseph the surname alone also matches: Carla Joseph; Clifford Joseph heard in this transcript as: Kala J. Joseph 4x Senator Ray Fonseca heard in this transcript as: Fonseca 2x Senator Diane T. K. Park heard in this transcript as: Dianne T. K. Part 2x Senator Franklin D. Johnson Yay 2x Senator Franklin D. Joseph the surname alone also matches: Carla Joseph; Clifford Joseph 2x Senator Kenneth L. Gittins Yes 2x Senator Marie C. James Yes heard in this transcript as: Maurice C. James Yes 2x Senator Milton E. Potter Yes 1x Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory heard in this transcript as: Donna Fred Gregory 1x Senator Donna Frett-Gregory heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Frett-Gregory Bills and acts referred to Matched by number against our own acts corpus. The number is what the recognition heard, so it may be wrong; where it resolved, the title is the one the Legislature gave the act. Bill 35-0144 Act 8760 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0145 Act 8761 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0147 Act 8762 · An Act providing an appropriation for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---() Bill 35-0155 Act 8748 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0156 Act 8767 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and the Virgin Islands Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0158 Act 8750 · An Act providing a lump sum appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 a=-0 Bill 35-0161 Act 8752 · An Act providing an appropriation for operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund, established within the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for the fiscal year Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 21 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0162 Act 8768 · An Act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0163 Act 8769 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 a Bill 35-0165 Act 8754 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0166 Act 8755 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0167 Act 8756 · An Act providing an appropriation from the District Public Road Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for the repairs of the government road in Estate Crown and Hawk, St. Thomas ---0 Bill 35-0169 Act 8758 · An Act providing an appropriation of $500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, for final editing and proofing of customized Virgin Islands History textbooks, printing hardcover editions of the customized Virgin Islands History textbooks, and for the completion of kindergarten through eighth grade Social Studies curriculum ---0 Bill 35-0126 Act 8776 · An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement and Petrus Properties, LLC for Parcel No. 47D-I Kronprindsens Gade, Kronprindsens Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ---0 Bill 35-0141 Act 8759 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0142 Act 8742 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0146 Act 8744 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0148 Act 8763 · September 22, 2023 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council, and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, and amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 302 regarding the name of the Office of the Public Defender Bill 35-0149 Act 8764 · An Act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0151 Act 8765 · An Act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0153 Act 8746 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Bill 35-0154 Act 8747 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 Bill 35-0055 Act 8730 · April 14, 2023 · An Act amending title 17 of the Virgin Islands Code pertaining to school curriculum in elementary and secondary schools Bill 35-0168 Act 8757 · An Act providing an appropriation of $300,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the University of the Virgin Islands for the construction of two sheds at John Brewers Beach, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ~-0 Act 8760 Act 8760 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8761 Act 8761 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8762 Act 8762 · An Act providing an appropriation for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---() Act 8748 Act 8748 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8767 Act 8767 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 22 of 23 Legislature USVI · Committee on Rules and Judiciary Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and the Virgin Islands Department of Finance for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8750 Act 8750 · An Act providing a lump sum appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 a=-0 Act 8752 Act 8752 · An Act providing an appropriation for operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund, established within the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8768 Act 8768 · An Act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8769 Act 8769 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 a Act 8754 Act 8754 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8755 Act 8755 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8756 Act 8756 · An Act providing an appropriation from the District Public Road Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for the repairs of the government road in Estate Crown and Hawk, St. Thomas ---0 Act 8758 Act 8758 · An Act providing an appropriation of $500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, for final editing and proofing of customized Virgin Islands History textbooks, printing hardcover editions of the customized Virgin Islands History textbooks, and for the completion of kindergarten through eighth grade Social Studies curriculum ---0 Act 8776 Act 8776 · An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement and Petrus Properties, LLC for Parcel No. 47D-I Kronprindsens Gade, Kronprindsens Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ---0 Act 8759 Act 8759 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8742 Act 8742 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8744 Act 8744 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8763 Act 8763 · September 22, 2023 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council, and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, and amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 302 regarding the name of the Office of the Public Defender Act 8764 Act 8764 · An Act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8765 Act 8765 · An Act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8746 Act 8746 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 ---0 Act 8747 Act 8747 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses for the fiscal year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024 Act 8730 Act 8730 · April 14, 2023 · An Act amending title 17 of the Virgin Islands Code pertaining to school curriculum in elementary and secondary schools Act 8757 Act 8757 · An Act providing an appropriation of $300,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the University of the Virgin Islands for the construction of two sheds at John Brewers Beach, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ~-0 Referred to but not found in our acts corpus: Bill 35-0095, Bill 35-0124, Bill 35-0143, Bill 35-0152, Bill 35-0157, Bill 35-0160, Bill 35-0164, Bill 35-0014, Bill 35-0150 Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified. VI Update · usvipublicrecords.com · public record, no rights asserted (CC0 1.0) 23 of 23